Features
Solving Old Problems
Preventive maintenance system not working? High-maintenance components wearing you down? Training needed on critical bearings? Machine wear taking its toll? Need to do better system monitoring? Require an easier way to monitor equipment health?…
EASA show attracts new vendors
The annual general meeting of the Ontario Chapter of the Electrical Apparatus Service Association (EASA), which took place in Toronto in January, featured an annual tabletop trade show boasting new vendors, a new pump course presented by EASA…
Should you exercise due diligence?
According the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, based in Hamilton, ON, there were 260,284 lost-time injuries in Canada in 2009. That number of people went to work in the morning but were injured at work to such an extent that…
It’s all coming together
This article is part of an ongoing series. The introduction appeared in Machinery & Equipment MRO’s February 2005 issue and the series has run in every issue since. Previous instalments are archived online at www.mromagazine.com. This…
Analyzing breakdowns
ow we are going to learn how to find the root cause of equipment failures. So far in Maintenance 101, we’ve covered: Stage 1 – Preparing for Professional Maintenance (Nov. 2011 issue, page 28), and Stage 2 – Equipment…
Nine ways to build employee confidence
However skilled and ambitious your employees may be, their greatest value often lies in their self-confidence. Confident, independent people possess courage and eagerness – and they’re strong self-starters.
Vending system improves parts control
The Mosaic Company installed a point-of-use (POU) vending system at its potash solution mine in Belle Plaine, SK, in 2006 with the result of increased productivity through reduced product retrieval/travel time, reduced consumption of supplies,…
Replacement seal solves ongoing challenge
When Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. purchased a new mammalian bioreactor skid, it had the same high expectations that surround any major process improvement. But during the initial start-up, it became apparent that the vessel would not maintain…
Understanding sealing systems for pumping applications
Proper specification and selection of sealing systems for centrifugal pump power frame applications can help sustain the service life of pumps and avoid the need for pump replacement or rebuilds and their associated costs in time and money.
Gearing That’s Green
Manufacturers who want to compete globally have to go ‘green.’ Why? Because being environmentally friendly with highly-efficient, reliable and durable gearing and components means higher productivity, energy savings, less downtime…
Bringing troubleshooting in-house
As a diversified manufacturer, the CompX International Inc. plant in Waterloo, ON, was well aware of the importance of the ongoing maintenance needs for the wide range of equipment within its facility. But troubleshooting was a job that…
An easy ‘way to improve gearbox life
Gearboxes are a key component of many industrial power transmission systems. Industrial gearboxes are highly engineered machines. Many components in gear drives have tight tolerances and optimized gear geometry that are required for…
High-Speed Shootout
Late last summer, after a lot of getting nowhere trying to fix a problem with a bottle capper at GlaxoSmithKline – a pharmaceutical company in Mississauga, ON – maintenance used a $300 digital camera with a high-speed video function…
Cam Lawrence fted on retirement
Cam Lawrence, president of BDI Canada Inc., Mississauga, ON, officially retired in January and has passed the reins over to Brian Dyke, who moves into the top role from his former position as vice-president of sales for Ontario.
Big MRO show returns to Toronto
The Works, billed as Canada’s largest MRO & Safety Show, returned to the Toronto Congress Centre for the second time. The January event, organized by Acklands-Grainger, featured 260 supplier exhibits and was attended by more than…
Assessing your fire risk
uring recent plant audits, I have noticed that a significant number of facilities do not comply with local fire code requirements. For example, flammable liquids are being stored in general warehousing facilities, dispensing is taking place in…
Wind turbine gearbox lubrication requires special consideration
Industrial gearboxes are highly engineered machines. Many components in gear drives have tight tolerance limits and an optimized gear geometry. It stands to reason that such equipment needs special care. The successful operation and longevity…
Getting to know your equipment
In the previous issue (November 2011), we launched this series of eight articles on what is involved in achieving a world-class maintenance (WCM) department. Stage 1 explored the eight activities necessary to prepare for professional…
A 5-point ‘TREAT’
This article is part of an ongoing series. The introduction appeared in Machinery & Equipment MRO’s February 2005 issue and the series has run in every issue since. Previous instalments are archived online at www.mromagazine.com. This…
Drives stand the test of time
Over two decades ago, a big research lab required drives that were compact, could produce extremely slow travel speeds, would withstand ongoing exposure to radiation and would need little maintenance. All this was necessary so the lab could…
How to get optimal performance from pumps
Knowing how to maintain pumps and their components while dealing with malfunctions effectively goes a long way to improving pump performance, increasing reliability and saving some money.
Dead in the Water!
Like a line from a bad novel, it was a dark and stormy ike a line from a bad novel, it was a dark and stormy night in Halifax back on Jan. 14, 2009. Then the power went out. Two backup generators kicked in at the year-old Halifax Wastewater…
How to Improve Pump Reliability
Most control and efficiency improvement are key to successful plant operations – especially when it comes to volatile energy costs. Most plant managers are keenly aware that upgrading from standard motors to premium-efficiency designs can…
Great Balls of Fire
How can you create a ball of flame? Where combustible material is conveyed, filtered, milled or sprayed in a fine powdered form, and the dust is confined to an unprotected process volume with it being dispersed, and when an ignition source is…
How to Achieve World-Class Maintenance
In this issue, I am beginning a series of eight articles that will explore what many companies would like to achieve – a world-class maintenance department.
Moving from Reactive to Proactive
This article is part of an ongoing series. The introduction appeared in Machinery & Equipment MRO’s February 2005 issue and the series has run in every issue since. Previous instalments are archived online at www.mromagazine.com. This…
Mill Optimizes Reliability
With an average production output increase of about 30% per year, Sapa Heat Transfer AB’s Shanghai facility needed to plan and develop a strategy to accommodate its growing business performance for the long term. Being the only company in…
Compressor Knocking?
Reciprocating compressors make noise, even in the best conditions. The trick is to train your ears to pick up new, potentially damaging sounds before they silence your compressor. The ability to pick up changes in the noise is a skill that will…
ABC’s of Clamp Meters
Like the multimeter, the clamp meter has passed through the analogue period and into the digital world of today. Created primarily as a single-purpose test tool for electricians, today’s models have incorporated more measurement…
The Ring’s the Thing
It seemed as though nothing could stop the squealing.
